Simulated christmas tree



R. L. SHOALTS SIMULATED CHRISTMAS TREE Dec. 16, 1958 Filed July 26, 1956w 2 m 2 v 3 m :1 w/

United States Patent Ofiice 2,864,192 Patented Dec. 16, 1958 SIMULATEDCHRISTMAS TREE Richard L. Shoalts, Williamsport, Pa.

Application July 26, 1956, Serial No. 600,309

1 Claim. (Cl. 41-15) This invention generally relates to a decorationdevice and more particularly to a simulated Christmas tree.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simulatedChristmas tree which may be easily erected and is especially adapted foruse in areas having limited space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simulatedChristmas tree in the form of a backing member with a projecting wireframe with decorative material supported thereon and illumination meansfor lighting the device thereby more effectively simulating a Christmastree.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a Christmas treewhich is simple in construction, easy to assemble, compact in nature,well adapted for its intended purposes and relatively inexpensive tomanufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the simulated Christmas tree ofthe present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantiallyupon a plane passing along section line 22 of Figure 1 illustrating thedetails of construction thereof; and

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional View taken substantiallyupon a plane passing along section line 3--3 of Figure 1 illustratingfurther structural details of the invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawing, the numeral generallydesignates the simulated Christmas tree of the present invention whichis incorporated in an enlarged rectangular backing plate 12 which may beof plywood or any other similar construction having a peripheral frame14 receiving the backing plate 12 in a groove 16 in the inner surfacethereof. Means may be provided for supporting the simulated Christmastree 10 in a suspended manner or it may be supported in an area such asa window opening or the like.

Adjacent the center and towards the lower portion of the backing plate12 is a plurality of arcuate wire members or rod members 18 which are ofvarying length with the longer of the arcuate wire members 18 beingdisposed adjacent the bottom of the backing plate 12 and the wiremembers 18 are progressively shorter as they approach the top of thebacking plate 12. Secured to and interconnecting the outer portions ofthe wire members 18 is a plurality of radially extending inclined wiremembers 20 which extend to a common point above the uppermost wiremember 18. The outer ends of each of the wire members 18 are providedwith upwardly and inwardly curved wire members 22 which are connected tothe next uppermost wire member 18 adjacent the outermost inclined wiremember 20. In elevation, the wire members 18, 20 and 22 generally formthe contour or outline of the elevation of a Christmas tree.

A plurality of decorative balls 24 may be provided on the various wiremembers and suitable tinsel 26 and other decorative material may beemployed to trim the tree. After the various tinsels, simulated iciclesand the like are in position, the entire device may be sprayed with aclear lacquer for holding these materials in place. Positioned under thewire skeleton frame is a reflective material such a aluminum foil 28which is substantially the same shape as the wire frame. A plurality ofsockets 38 extend through the backing plate 12 and are provided withbulbs 32 and electrical wires 34 connected to a male plug 36 forinsertion into a household outlet for illuminating the area behind thetree and forming a highly decorative type of Christmas tree.

Extending downwardly from the bottom of wire rod member 18 is agenerally semi-cylindrical piece of material 38 which simulates a treetrunk and which may actually be constructed of bark or the like. Thefront surface of the backing plate 12 may be provided with suitabledecorative indicia 4t and 42 for enhancing the appearance of theChristmas tree and also a decorative member 44 in the form of a twistedfoil member 44 may be provided as a rope extending between the uppercorners of the frame 14.

The device may be constructed of various sizes such as a size to fit ina conventional window or for hanging on the wall or standing by itselfwith the simulated Christmas tree incorporating a wire frame definingthe outline of a Christmas tree and also being provided with the usualdecorative balls, tinsel, icicles and illumination means whereby thesimulated Christmas tree occupies very little space and may be easilyset up and taken down without expending so much time and effort.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

An artificial Christmas tree comprising an enlarged vertically disposedbacking plate, a plurality of arcuate members having the free endsthereof attached to the backing plate in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to said backing plate, said backing plate being providedwith a covering of reflective material, said members being disposed invertically spaced relation with the lowermost member being longer thanthe other members with said members diminishing in size towards theuppermost member, a plurality of inclined members interconnecting saidarcuate members, said arcuate members and inclined members generallyforming one-half of a Christmas tree, said backing plate being providedwith a plurality of light sockets therein, light bulbs disposed in saidsockets and projecting from said backing plate, said bulbs beingarranged beneath said arcuate members for illuminating the artificialtree, the outer of the inclined members between adjacent arcuate membersbeing concavely curved for simulating the contours of a Christmas tree,a plural ity of decorative balls and tinsel supported on said arcuatemembers, and a generally semi-cylindrical member extending downwardlyfrom the plane of the lowermost arcuate member thereby simulating a treetrunk.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS460,876 Kurth Oct. 6, 1891 1,791,533 Parmele Feb. 10, 1931 2,289,680Prettyman July 14, 1942

